[Intl-tobacco] Internet cigarette firm fumes about UK government (fwd)

[Robert Weissman]

Internet cigarette firm fumes about UK government
Source: PA News, Tuesday, 3/6/01

An internet company says the UK government is flouting European rules on
free trade by intercepting boxes of cigarettes ordered from overseas.

Bosses at www.lowpricecigarettes.com claim HM Customs has told its
customers they are not allowed to import boxes of cigarettes for their own
use.

A spokesman for the Cyprus-based company say their business is legal.

He added: "The UK government can't do anything to us - we are a legitimate
business.

"The customs officers elsewhere in the European Union are very happy with
with our company.

"We are not smuggling anything, and as far as we know we are operating
entirely within existing regulations. This is just an example of the
British government following its own line."

All the company's cigarettes and tobacco products are taxed in an EU
company and carry taxation stickers.


Lowpricecigarettes.com claim that, because their goods are being shipped
to another EU member state, a single point of taxation applies.


But a spokesman for HM Customs and Excise said the company was operating
illegally.


She commented: "You are quite within your rights to bring cigarettes for
personal use into the UK, provided you are travelling with the goods.


"You can't just order these goods over the internet, you can only have
them as a traveller's concession."